Let Your love and steadfast kindness overshadow us continually, for we trust and wait upon You! – (Psalm 33:22, TPT)

It has been a painfully long week. Students have been struggling to choose well in a few of my classes, and yesterday seemed to be the crux that led to two ugly scenarios. The first resulted in a pair of students being removed from my classroom, despite multiple opportunities to make a change and choose well, followed by a horrendous fight that involved a student from another classroom who was let into my room during the final few minutes of the day. It was a shocking and horrible end to an otherwise reasonable day, and I was grateful for gymnastics practice after school with a great group of girls, that was to follow a quick debrief with my colleague in the classroom next door. Despite the events that left me questioning my sanity and career choice, I was aware of God’s unfailing love for me, as He always has a way of making it tangible. My fellow coaches, who are dear friends, were fabulous, kind and compassionate. Another friend and colleague who helps intervene with situations such as the two that took place during my day, intentionally made way to the gym to check-in with me and debrief. After practice, just prior to returning to my classroom to complete the paperwork for the fight, I received a text message from another friend on staff who had been in the office when the kids involved were brought in, and she was making sure that I was okay. Steadfast kindness is my reminder to continue to hope and trust in Him. Though I know not what the future holds, I trust that He has good plans, and that His kindness and love will not continue to keep me in such spaces of distress. He is good, and because He loves me well, I will continue to choose to love.

God’s unfailing love,

The hope for our days;

Shows reasons to trust,

Faithfulness always.

No matter what comes,

The Lord’s always near;

He’s present to help,

Each request, He hears.

Choose wait on the Lord,

Place all hope in Him;

Kind, faithful, steadfast,

True love always wins.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, faithful, kind and Your steadfast love never ends. Thank You that as we come to You and place our trust in You, You hear us and are present with us. Thank You that though bad things happen, You never leave us nor forsake us. Forgive us for our frustration with the brokenness of this world. Teach us to trust You and keep moving forward in love. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend what is needed most to hurting hearts. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your unfailing love forever, and give You praise for Your presence that You make tangible. Amen.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. – (Psalm 33:4-5, NIV)

The Lord’s word is true, and He is faithful in everything He does. He loves goodness and justice. The Lord’s faithful love fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, ERV)

For the word of the Eternal is perfect and true; His actions are always faithful and right. He loves virtue and equity; the Eternal’s love fills the whole earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, VOICE)

No matter what goes on around us, the truth of who God is, remains. God’s word is right and true, as it reveals the heart of God to us, and helps direct our steps in the ways that we are meant to go. Faithfulness is synonymous with God, as He will never leave us nor forsake us. He loves goodness and justice, and empowers those who seek Him to live accordingly. The Father’s love is everywhere, if we only slow down and open our eyes to see. May we ever be people who pursue the heart of God, so that we may display His goodness, faithfulness and love through our every word and deed.

The word of the Lord,

Is perfect and true;

He’s always faithful,

As His love shines through.

Throughout the whole earth,

God’s love is made known;

As goodness and grace,

Are lovingly shown.

May we ever choose,

Invest in His word;

Invite God to move,

So His heart is heard.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are truth and You are love. Thank You that You love righteous and justice, and that You are faithful in all that You do. Thank You that the evidence of Your unfailing love is everywhere. Forgive us for the times that we have lacked any of these things that You are always willing to give, if only we choose to seek You. Teach us to trust and turn to You in all things and at all times, so that no matter what lies before us, love will direct our steps. Show us how to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in the truth of who You are and how You love faithfully and unfailingly, forever. Amen.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. – (Psalm 33:4-5, NIV)

The Lord’s word is true, and He is faithful in everything He does. He loves goodness and justice. The Lord’s unfailing love fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, ERV)

For God’s Word is something to sing about! He is true to His promises, His word can be trusted, and everything He does is reliable and right. The Lord loves seeing justice on the earth. Everywhere you can find His faithful, unfailing love! – (Psalm 33:4-5, TPT)

What God says, He will do. His faithfulness, righteousness and justice are not dependent on us. Rather, His unfailing love is evident everywhere because He is good. If the Lord loves goodness, righteousness and justice, shouldn’t we then seek to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God? As we do, He shows us how to live right before Him, to view justice through His lens, rather than our own, and above all, He leads us to love as He loves. May we ever seek the Lord and spend time in His word, so that we can recognize the truth of His word, have faith in He who is righteous and just, and ever receive His unfailing love.

Ever He’s faithful,

The Lord God on high;

The work of His hands,

Seen from earth to sky.

Always He is just,

And His word is true;

Righteousness revealed,

As Him, we pursue.

Love that’s unfailing,

No matter what comes;

As we choose to trust,

We see His will done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word is true and Your promises make us new. Thank You that as we seek You, You lead us and guide us in the ways in which we are meant to go. Thank You that above all, You love, and we are meant to do likewise. Forgive us for anything that we have said or done that was not right in Your eyes, not just, or not motivated by love. Teach us to trust You more to lead us in the way that we are meant to go. Show us how to love without limits, act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we seek Your leading and trust Your promises. Amen.

But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken. – (Psalm 33:11, NLT)

But the Lord’s decisions are good forever. His plans are good for generation after generation. – (Psalm 33:11, ERV)

God’s plan for the world stands up, all His designs are made to last. – (Psalm 33:11, MSG)

The Eternal’s purposes will last to the end of time, the thoughts of His heart will awaken and stir all generations. – (Psalm 33:11, VOICE)

There is great reassurance in these words, as so often we hear a promise, and wonder how it could ever possibly come to pass. What God says, He will do, for His word endures forever. Though disruptions and detours often come along the way, we learn and grow as we discover how to find our footing back on the path where the Lord is leading. Additionally, God’s timing is not our own. His plans stand firm and cannot be shaken, and they are good throughout all generations. Most of us want to see the fulfillment of a promise spoken within the hour, day, week or at least month in which it was heard. Things that last take time, and the Lord does not operate on our time table. His ways are higher than ours, so we have to trust that His timing is far better than our own, despite our desire to see the fulfillment unfold right now. May we ever trust the Lord and His plans, for His decisions are good and His plans cannot be shaken over time.

The Lord’s plans shall stand,

Firm forevermore;

They can’t be shaken,

Always, they’ll endure.

For His plans are good,

They are made to last;

Awakening hearts,

To do as we’re asked.

As we choose to go,

Wherever He calls;

We see faithfulness,

As hope He installs.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your plans stand firm forever. Thank You that Your intentions cannot be shaken, despite our lack of faith or patience in the process. Thank You that You are loving and kind, and that You are patient with us as You lead us in the ways that we are meant to go. Forgive us for where we lack, and attempt to go our own way. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would stay the course to which we have been called by You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that stirs hearts and minds to seek You, as they see Your faithfulness in action. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your plans that stand firm forever, and Your intentions that cannot be shaken. Amen.

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. – (Psalm 33:20, NLT)

For the past few months, there is a part of me that has been stirring and not able to settle at rest. Though I would pray, and look for answers, I could not figure out what I was meant to do next. A little over a week ago, I had an exchange with someone that at first, felt offensive. Perhaps it was, but really, it matters not, as God used it to propel my heart in a direction that I would never have explored, if not for that brief conversation. What was discovered as a result of the consequential agitation, was a dream that had all but died. Possibility presented itself before me, and I am now pursuing something that I never thought obtainable. Whether it comes to fruition or not, the excitement of imagining and hoping is enough to remind me that God has more than what I see. He is reminding me that He has wired me with gifts and talents, dreams and desires, that He longs to honor just as much as I hold hope to use them for His glory. May we rise up and remember that God has handcrafted each of us with gifts and talents, plans and purpose, and what we see now is not all that there is. Let us hold fast to the hope we have in Him, and be willing to take steps of faith forward as He leads.

Be not discouraged,

By all that you see;

Often there’s movement,

Waiting within reach.

For what seems unkind,

Horrible, unfair;

Could be the movement,

That leads us from there.

Remember to hope,

Not in what is seen;

But rather in God,

Who as we trust, leads.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our hope who leads us where we are meant to go. Thank You that despite what we see, You have so much more for each of us. Thank You that You take the seemingly horrible things and use them to propel us in the direction that You intend for us to move. Thank You that You have good things for Your children. Forgive us for our lack of hope and for allowing our dreams to die or lie dormant. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You and pursue the path You place before us to utilize the very things that You have created within us to share with those around us. Show us how to love well, everyone whom we encounter. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our hope in You and travel along the path You place before us. Amen.

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, NLT)

The Lord’s word is true, and He is faithful in everything He does. He loves goodness and justice. The Lord’s faithful love fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, ERV)

God is always good. His faithfulness never ends. What He promises, He will be faithful to fulfill. I have a dear friend who received a call and a promise from God when she was seventeen years old. Now, three kids later, after the unforeseen twists and turns that life has provided, the Lord is showing her that what was spoken is being worked out, as she faithfully says yes to each new step that He leads her. All that she has been through has been preparation for where the Lord is leading. His goodness and justice is making itself known in miraculous ways, as doors are being flung open, and favor is poured out upon her. The Lord’s faithful love is leading the way across the ends of the earth, as He is making His presence and faithfulness known in new ways, both near and far. May we ever listen to the word of the Lord, as His word is true and we can trust everything He does. Let us look around and see how His unfailing love fills the earth.

For the Lord is good,

And His word holds true;

We can trust in Him,

In all that we do.

He loves what is just,

All good in His sight;

As we pursue Him,

He shows us what’s right.

Wherever we go,

Whatever we do;

The Lord’s faithful love,

Is forever true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word is true and that we can trust everything that You do. Thank You that You love what is just and good, and that Your unfailing love fills the earth. Thank You for those who are faithful to trust You at Your word, and continue to say yes, even when they are unsure of what that yes is going to look like. Please continue to bless and encourage my dear friend, as You open doors and light the way that You are calling her to go. Forgive us for the times that we do not trust You at Your word, or trust the things that You are doing in our lives. Help us to trust what we cannot see, as You know the outcome before we even begin. Show us how to love those around us, so that Your goodness and justice is seen through our love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in everything You do because Your word is true, and Your unfailing love fills the earth. Amen.

O Lord, let Your loving-kindness be upon us as we put our hope in You. – (Psalm 33:22, NLV)

As we fix our eyes on the reason for this most sacred season, may we slow down and allow our hearts to hold the loving-kindness of Christ to surround us as we place our hope in Him. No matter if this is a season of struggle or that of blessing, the Lord is near and longs to lavish us with His love. He is gentle and kind, and will never force His way in. Instead, He waits for our invitation to draw near. May we call on the Lord and His unfailing love, to surround us and fill us with His hope.

Look unto the Lord,

He’s loving and kind;

Our Source of all hope,

Most Holy Divine.

His unfailing love,

Will fill and surround;

As we choose to trust,

The lost become found.

Seek ye our Savior,

Let His hope be yours;

May love overwhelm,

It’s where we’re restored.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You surround us with Your unfailing love as we place our hope in You. Forgive us for trusting in anything other than You, or for not holding firm to the hope that we know in You when storms surround us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will trust You in all things at all times, no matter what lies before us. Show us how to love those around us with Your unfailing love, so that others too may come to know the hope that is held in You. May many choose to invest their lives and hearts into lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place all of our hope in You and receive the overwhelming love that You lavish upon us. Amen.

But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken. – (Psalm 33:11, NLT)

The Eternal’s purposes will last to the end of time; the thoughts of His heart will awaken and stir all generations. – (Psalm 33:11, VOICE)

The plans and purposes of God cannot be altered nor changed by human persuasion. Just because we think we know what may be best, God’s ways are always higher than our ways, and His plans higher than ours. God wants the very best for us, His created, so He will not allow our short-sightedness to shake His plans for our ultimate good. Instead, He stirs in us, a desire to seek Him and His will. As we follow after Him, He draws us unto Himself, and points us to the path that leads us on to life everlasting. May we choose to give ear to His leading, so that we might walk in the light of His love where He is calling. Let every heart seek the Lord, and answer that which He is asking.

The plans of the Lord,

Stand firm for all time;

They can’t be shaken,

Holy and divine.

What He is asking,

Draws us to His side;

Where hearts awaken,

Cross faithful divide.

Let us choose to seek,

Pursue the Lord’s will;

Fulfill what He asks,

By faith, pray, be still.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your plans stand firm forever, no matter what goes on in the world around us. Thank You that Your intentions can never be shaken. Forgive us for the lack of security in our stance at times, as we are easily shaken when things around us fall apart or go sideways. Teach us to trust You more, so that no matter what goes on in or around us, we know that Your ultimate plan remains. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they might see You through what we say and do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to follow the plan that You place before us, and to trust in the way You call us to walk. Amen.

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, NLT)

The Lord’s word is true, and He is faithful in everything He does. He loves goodness and justice. The Lord’s faithful love fills the earth. – (Psalm 33:4-5, ERV)

For all God’s words are right, and everything He does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good; the earth is filled with His tender love. – (Psalm 33:4-5, TLB)

God and His word are right and true, and we can trust Him in all things and at all times. The Lord loves what is right and is guided by His truth. His love surrounds us, and it never fails. We only begin to grasp glimpses of God’s great love when we seek to know Him and His word. The more we invest in knowing Him, the greater He grows our understanding of who He is and how He loves. May we seek Him with all that we are, and lay hold of the truth that can always be trusted. Let us embrace that which is just and good, and be ever aware of His tender love that is all around us.

The truth shall be found,

when we seek the Lord;

for God and His word,

where truth is outpoured.

All that the Lord does,

we can by faith, trust;

for all of His ways,

are righteous and just.

God’s unfailing love,

fills up the whole earth;

is ours to receive,

He grants us His worth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your word is true and that You are faithful in all that You do. Thank You that You love goodness and justice, and that You are worthy of all of our trust. Thank You that Your love fills the whole earth. Forgive us for doubting Your love for us, or not trusting You to be for us when all seems to be against us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would embrace the truth, trusting You in all things and at all times – for You are with us and You are for us. Show us how to receive Your unfailing love, so that we can go and love likewise to all whom we encounter. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You and Your word, knowing without question, that You are faithful, loving and worthy of all of our trust. Amen.

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy Name. – (Psalm 33:20-21)

To wait in hope, is to look forward with expectation and confidence, patient that He who has promised will do what He says He will do. Having the Lord as our help and our shield means that He is our Provider and Protector in all things and at all times. As we learn to hope in Him, our hearts cannot help but rejoice, knowing that He is worthy of our trust; for He is Holy. Regardless of how things appear in the here and now, may we wait in hope for the Lord; for He is our help and our shield. Let our hearts rejoice, for we can trust in His Holy Name.

Let us look forward,

with expectation;

confidence in Christ,

due exaltation.

He’s our help and shield,

may our hearts rejoice;

because we can trust,

the Lord as our choice.

He’ll never leave us,

all hope is assured;

God our Redeemer,

where each prayer is heard.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we wait in hope, You are our help and our protection. Thank You that You are our Source of joy, despite our circumstances. Thank You that we can always trust in Your Holy Name. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of hope in You, and help us to trust You more, so that our hope will forever be secure in who You are. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they too, may find a forever hope in You. Be glorified O God, as we wait on You with expectation and confidence, trusting Your Holy Name. Amen.